3.5
A Secret History of Witches
ByPublisher Description
A sweeping historical saga that traces five generations of fiercely powerful mothers and daughters -- witches whose magical inheritance is both a dangerous threat and an extraordinary gift.
Brittany, 1821.
After Grand-Mere Ursule gives her life to save her family, their magic seems to die with her.
Even so, the Orchires fight to keep the old ways alive, practicing half-remembered spells and arcane rites in hopes of a revival. And when their youngest daughter comes of age, magic flows anew. The lineage continues, though new generations struggle not only to master their power, but also to keep it hidden.
But when World War II looms on the horizon, magic is needed more urgently than ever -- not for simple potions or visions, but to change the entire course of history.
Praise for A Secret History of Witches:
"I loved it. A beautiful generational tale, reminiscent of Practical Magic. . .. Grounded and real, painful and hopeful at the same time." —Laure Eve, author of The Graces
"Historical fiction at its absolute finest....Deliciously absorbing." —Boston Globe
"At once sprawling and intimate, A Secret History of Witches deftly captures the greatest magic of all: the love between mothers and daughters." —Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of The Wolf in the Whale
For more from Louisa Morgan, check out:
The Witch's Kind
The Age of Witches
Brittany, 1821.
After Grand-Mere Ursule gives her life to save her family, their magic seems to die with her.
Even so, the Orchires fight to keep the old ways alive, practicing half-remembered spells and arcane rites in hopes of a revival. And when their youngest daughter comes of age, magic flows anew. The lineage continues, though new generations struggle not only to master their power, but also to keep it hidden.
But when World War II looms on the horizon, magic is needed more urgently than ever -- not for simple potions or visions, but to change the entire course of history.
Praise for A Secret History of Witches:
"I loved it. A beautiful generational tale, reminiscent of Practical Magic. . .. Grounded and real, painful and hopeful at the same time." —Laure Eve, author of The Graces
"Historical fiction at its absolute finest....Deliciously absorbing." —Boston Globe
"At once sprawling and intimate, A Secret History of Witches deftly captures the greatest magic of all: the love between mothers and daughters." —Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of The Wolf in the Whale
For more from Louisa Morgan, check out:
The Witch's Kind
The Age of Witches
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesA Secret History of Witches Reviews
3.5
“Thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction and the generational journey through the eyes of these women. Pacing was a bit uneven- I had wanted more detail and more engagement with some of the stories and felt that Veronica’s story- specifically the wartime details, dragged a bit in comparison but still a very strong, epic story. In general, really enjoyed the FMCs, but loved that Irene was unlikable. Added more depth to these stories. I generally enjoyed the transitions between generational stories, but at times found myself wanting more.”
“In so many ways this is a quintessential book about witches - an ancient craft passed down through each generation of women, along with a grimoire and a mystical scrying stone, with the help of animal familiars and a looming threat of discovery that will spell doom for the individuals and the future of the craft itself. However, I have some issues with the portrayal.
The author seems to think that the primary way a woman of the 19th and 20th centuries can rebel against society and claim her own personal power is to commit infidelity, and the fact it happens repeatedly within the book feels intentional and strange. The insertion into the history of World War II also feels out of place and uncomfortable. Overall I did very much enjoy the story and the women within this book, but the final book of Veronica dropped my rating down significantly.”
BelievableDiverse representationMemorableMinor characters stand outMultilayeredStrong relationshipsEpic scopeSlow-pacedWell-structuredHistoricalLushRealisticVivid descriptionsStraightforwardAbuseAnimal abuseBigotryChild abuseChild lossDeathGriefMisogynyReligious intoleranceSexual assaultViolenceWar violence
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